What is Section 889 Certification and Why Your Business Might Need It

If your business is interested in selling to the U.S. government, already does, or sells to a company that works with the U.S. Government, you’ve likely heard of Section 889. This federal regulation is more than just a box to check. It’s a mandatory compliance requirement that can open doors to new opportunities, or quietly shut them if you’re not prepared.

Here’s what you need to know about Section 889 certification, who needs it, what’s involved, and why getting certified is easier than you think.

What is Section 889?

Section 889 is part of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019, a law designed to enhance national security and mitigate the federal government’s exposure to certain foreign technologies.

Specifically, Section 889 prohibits federal agencies from doing business with companies that use certain telecommunications and surveillance equipment or services from a list of restricted Chinese companies, including:

• Huawei Technologies

• ZTE Corporation

• Dahua Technology

• Hytera Communications

• Hikvision

The regulation has two parts:

• Part A prohibits federal agencies from directly procuring from these companies.

• Part B prohibits federal agencies from contracting with any entity that uses equipment or services from these companies, even if it’s just part of their internal operations or supply chain.

To comply, companies must self-certify that they are not using prohibited technology.

Who Needs to Be Section 889 Certified?

You should pursue Section 889 certification if your business:

• Sells or wants to sell to the federal government, including through agencies, sub-contracts, or grants

• Sells on commercial platforms like Amazon Business or GSA Advantage, where buyers often use Section 889 filters

• Provides IT, telecom, security, or electronics products or services

• Works in a regulated industry like defense, healthcare, energy, or infrastructure

• Supports prime contractors that do business with federal agencies and require subcontractor compliance

In short, if the government or its contractors are your buyers, 889 certification is a must.

What’s Required for Certification?

Section 889 certification is a self-attestation, not a lengthy audit or review process. To certify, a business must:

1. Review its operations and supply chain to ensure it does not use the banned equipment or services.

2. Sign and submit a certification form stating that it is in compliance with Section 889.

3. Maintain records and monitor compliance as its operations or suppliers evolve.

On many government-facing platforms like Amazon Business or SAM.gov, companies can upload the form directly to their profiles.

Benefits of Getting 889 Certified

Beyond meeting federal requirements, Section 889 certification offers several business advantages:

• Eligibility for government contracts and procurement programs

• Increased visibility in platforms where buyers filter by 889-compliant sellers

• Competitive differentiation—especially in crowded marketplaces

• Faster procurement cycles by removing compliance concerns upfront

• Trust and credibility with both public and private buyers

Fast, Free Section 889 Certification with SupplierGateway

For many businesses, the only hurdle to 889 compliance is knowing where to start. That’s why SupplierGateway offers a streamlined, online certification process that takes just a few minutes.

• Register your business in the SupplierGateway portal

• Complete a short questionnaire

• Receive your certification instantly

• Add it to your procurement profiles and seller marketplaces

Whether you’re just exploring government contracting or ready to grow your presence in the public sector, 889 certification is a powerful and essential step.

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Get certified today with SupplierGateway.
Visit the SupplierGateway Supplier Portal Registration page to start your certification and position your business for success in the government market.